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Abstract

We present that two distinct optical properties of light, the spin angular momentum (SAM) and the orbital angular momentum (OAM), can be coupled in the plasmonic vortex. If a plasmonic vortex lens (PVL) is illuminated by the helical vector beam (HVB) with the SAM and OAM, then those distinct angular momenta contribute to the generation of the plasmonic vortex together. The analytical model reveals that the total topological charge of the generated plasmonic vortex is given by a linear summation of those of the SAM and OAM, as well as the geometric charge of the PVL. The generation of the plasmonic vortex and the manipulation of the fractional topological charge are also presented.

Figures (8)

Electric field distributions at a fixed time for various combinations of polarization states and helix winding numbers (Top panel: the LCP, middle panel: the radial polarization, bottom panel: the RCP). The helix winding number l varies from −1 to 2 with increment of 1 (Media 1).

Three cases of SP excitation at a slit (thick black line) with the backside illumination. The laser with the propagation wave vector k coming out of the paper illuminates bottom of slit and excites SPs on front-slide of slit. (a) The polarization of illuminating light is perpendicular to the slit. (b) The direction of the polarization having a nonzero angle to the direction of SPs propagation. (c) The slit is illuminated by the HVB.

(a) Hypothetical experimental setup. The PVL is inscribed on the gold layer. The wavelength of laser is 660 nm and the corresponding wavelength of SPs is 629 nm. (b) The schematic of spiral slit (m = 1) and design parameters of the PVL are shown.